Depending on flight availability and reporting requirements, Maritime Personnel Section (MPS) will evaluate solutions for flying off-signers directly to other international airports than Manila in the Philippines, i.e., closer to home province if possible.
There are no plans for use of chartered flights for seafarers, neither domestic nor international.
Vessels calling the Philippines will normally have a good opportunity for crew change. But during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), this may not be feasible due to restrictions from Philippine authorities or the terminal the vessel calls. Off-signers during the pandemic are preferably traveling directly to airports closer to home province. If this is not feasible and the seafarers become quarantined or stranded in Manila, accommodation and food allowance are provided.
Distant or online reporting is being used for all seafarers until further notice.
Potential on-signers will need to follow local regulations in on-signing country for quarantine. Onboard measures for social distancing and hygiene are shared with the ships. Strict adherence will be required for two weeks after boarding. The measures will most probably be in place until a vaccine is found and implemented. This may take a year or two.
Currently, all crew changes are severely hampered, so we are relying heavily on extended contracts. That is not a sustainable solution for several reasons.
Avoiding COVID-19 is all about reducing exposure and increasing hygiene. Global solutions and guidelines for crew changes will be followed by Odfjell. Each of our seafarers must act responsibly, always maintain social distance and meticulous hand hygiene, also during travel.
This is challenging, but it is the only proven success measure right now. Waiting for the availability of a vaccine may as mentioned take at least a year, perhaps more; distribution around the world will also take a long time.
When crew change is considered feasible and decided by the company, it is not possible for a seafarer to refuse to sign off for personal reasons.
Quarantine on arrival in home country for off-signers will not count as work time but is counted as vacation time. On-signers being quarantined on their way onboard is counted as work time and earns both salary and leave days.
The 14-day required gap between Management Level Officer (MLO) changes is still valid. However, by issuing a Task Risk Assessment (TRA) and raising a Request for Deviations to the Fleet Manager, it can be omitted during special circumstances like the COVID-19.
Crew changes will resume in various ports around the world as soon as restrictions are lifted. The ECQ in the Philippines is also causing heavy restrictions since all embassies, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), medical clinics, etc. are closed, hence the ECQ must come to an end or an easing before bulk of crew changes can commence. Should anyone request early termination of contract, it is still a huge challenge to travel home. Early termination is governed under existing procedures and no changes to these are planned. Repatriation of crew will always be arranged in the safest possible way.
None of our seafarers will be abandoned by the company. By end of April, 81 or 8% of our Filipino crew onboard have completed their contract. None of them have reached the maximum allowable months onboard. MPS Manila has plotted the upcoming crew changes accordingly, and these change plans will be continuously updated in keeping with the varying circumstances.
Crew returning to their home country will be required by authorities to comply with local regulations upon arrival.
If quarantined in Manila prior to onwards travel to province, our crew is placed in company-accredited hotels and provided food allowance.
The Philippine government mandates 14 days of quarantine either in Manila or in home provinces. Once this is completed, the Department of Health (DOH) shall issue a clearance. Such clearance will then be honored by local government unit (LGU) hence no additional quarantine needed.
For those able to travel to their own home, the quarantine is on own cost and responsibility. During the quarantine period, the Filipino seafarers are covered by P and I and/or local health insurance.
Governing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) will naturally be honored by the company.
If the signatory parties agree to hazard compensation for seafarers related to COVID-19 risks, this will be communicated in due time from the parties. Until present no such compensation is agreed.
Qualified seafarers need to apply for themselves. Application is done online and will be for approval of said agencies. MPS Manila has been coordinating with these government agencies and provides certification/documentation to seafarers, enabling them to apply.
During extreme calamity, natural disaster and/or pandemic, the company according to its capacity may opt to aid extremely affected employees. The aim is to prioritize aiding the most severely affected. The aid may be in monetary or non-monetary form. For this reason, MPS Manila has been authorized to render financial aid to availing vacationing seafarers with expired leave days and who qualify for the set criteria. The continuation and potential expansion of the PhP 5000 support to vacationing seafarers is being monitored and evaluated. Advancing basic payment on signed contracts is also being evaluated. Re-instating cash onboard our vessels is not being considered. Extension of contracts is done on the basis of the existing wage scale and governing CBA.
Internet speed onboard is either upgraded or in progress of being upgraded as welfare incentive for the COVID-19 period.
Measures and instructions to handle COVID-19 have been shared with all vessels by Risk Management (ITM 2007 Updated COVID-19 Precautions and Attachment 1 Garret's Novel Corona Virus Briefing Note). This also includes how to act if suspicion of infection is detected.
Radio Medico can be consulted for specialist advice but right now, there is no defined medicine that has proven effective to combat the virus.
Separate protocol for each vessel scheduled for drydock has been prepared and those vessels are being contacted separately for briefings.
Proven measures for personal protection are social distancing and meticulous hand hygiene.
Our seafarers also have access to several personal protective equipment (PPE) that may provide some protection. More are on order, particularly disposable equipment; however, lead time is long.
It is important not to rely on equipment alone. Distance and hygiene are the only methods available to us with proven track records.
COVID-19 test kits are so far not available with required reliance. Many scam products are being advertised, giving false security. Odfjell is following the development and may decide to invest if reliable and usable kits for onboard testing become available. Testing prior to boarding has limited value and right now it is not possible to order or request a test anywhere unless clear symptoms are visible.
Visitors onboard and particularly inside the accommodation need to be minimized to those really needed.
If armed guards are dispatched to the ship, they need to observe all precautions and be separated from the crew. Practice social distancing for all visitors.
If an onboard crew becomes infected, he/she is covered by normal P&I insurance.
The routine and coverage are exactly the same as for all other diseases.
